Cold weather keeps local fuel distributors busy

MARLBORO — Thanks to the extreme cold weather, some local fuel distributors are finding it hard to keep up with demand.

Deliveries of propane, kerosene and fuel oil were up by about 30 percent on Tuesday, and repair calls were up by about 10-20 percent, said Joe Porco, owner of Porco Energy Corp in Marlboro.

“Normally we're busy this time of the year anyway, but when it gets cold like this, it's crunch time,” said Porco, whose 60-year-old family business employs a staff of 45.

According to Porco, frozen pipes have kept the 10 service technicians working almost around the clock. He explained that they can use electric pipe wrap or arc welders that send an electrical charge to get pipes thawed out.

Increased fuel consumption has led some customers to run out, which is keeping his 15 delivery men on the run and on overtime.

Meanwhile, the deep freeze is also having an impact on propane supplies.

“There have been some mechanical breakdowns in the delivery for our pipeline,” he said. “The extreme cold puts a lot of pressure on valves, pumps and compressors which can break on the pipeline, which runs from Bellevue, Texas, through Ohio to the terminal in Selkirk.” Selkirk is near Albany.

Right now, Porco said business is “insane,” but he can't complain.

“On the other hand, it could be summertime and business could be slow,” he said.